firecat69

They have a lot bigger problem then that . Boat races etc were held in polluted waters . If anyone fell in it would have been a problem. Again no money! Like most big events there is a lot of BS. Now we see the swimmers from the USA are a bunch of liars and they were never attacked so all and all safety has been ok for people attending the events. At least so far!

Not incompetence. They ran out of money to buy the chemicals. The IOC are the incompetent ones for giving the Olympics to a 3rd world country.

Not sure about price gouging. If you mean during the Olympics. That sort of thing happens all over World during Big Events. Hotel prices have always been high . I would not consider it price gouging since they are full most of the time. Incompetence? Maybe depending in what way but you would be hard pressed to find more incompetent police etc then in Thailand.

Not sure I ever said Brazil is as safe as Thailand because I have never though that. But there are many places in the world not as safe as Thailand for a visitor.

The whole precept of the question seems to suggest that you might be isolated with only Thais. But in fact there are many expats in most areas of thailand. So if you want to go out for meals , golf, shows etc with other Westerners then nothing could be easier. Family is something you cannot replace but as stated most people who move to Thailand are older and have lost most of their families either to death or just can't stand them anymore.

Seems to me to be a question that will be answered by the type of individual. If you were a needy person in your home country and always needed family or friends then of course you will be lonely in Thailand. If you were an adventurous person in your home country and had no problem going out alone then you are likely to have no problem anyplace you choose to move.

Then you need to pay attention sitting at the gate when people are wheeled up to the front of the line and get out of the chair and sit in handicapped section and wait for boarding where they are then offered to board first. I myself was afforded this when I had a knee injury that limited the distances I could walk but not short walks from Boarding door to seat etc. I have almost never seen that not happen. On departure I see people all the time walk off the jetway to a waiting ride. There are others who have to be taken to their seat and taken out of their seat but there are many who can walk short distances to transportation but it is a hardship to walk some of the long distances at major airports.

I should have been more clear . It varies in the UK. Some restaurants have service included on the menu, others do not. But in all restaurants in London a wait person is being paid the equivalent of about $14.00 US an hour which is almost 5x what most US wait persons get paid. Thus the prices are inflated in order for the person to receive a living wage . Thus in my opinion service is included and anything extra is entirely optional and the level of service will determine if extra tip is left. In my case I might leave 10% which is 1/2 of what I leave in the US.

Should does not equal does. Wait people in the USA do not get minimum wage and thus depend on tips to survive. Very few restaurants use paper menus in the USA and thus it is a burden to keep spending money to change the prices . At least in the USA if you get terrible service and feel it is the wait persons fault you can withhold or lower the tip given. In the UK you have no such option which is why that is the place I have gotten some of the worst service in the world and still had to pay for it.

I don't think that is true I see many older people with canes etc that are just taken to the door and picked up at the door of the plane.

We'll have to agree to disagree. I don't go to Bars to look at boys but rather find a companion. Since I will never take anyone off from there again it would be a complete waste on inflated drink prices.

I agree . One bad experience should probably not cross it off your list forever . Especially since you are 50% Fabulous. But possibly another similar experience should end it. I gave Jupiter 6 chances. I am a slow learner but will never give them 1 baht again .

Because the average person who can spend thousands of $ to travel is not capable of googling tipping in restaurants and coming up with just 1 of hundreds like this: Get real! http://gofrance.about.com/od/travelplanning/a/tippinginfrance.htm

Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit and Westin across from each other. Sheraton has escalator at front door to Skytrain. 10 minutes and then 8 minute walk to Soi Twilight W also a few steps to Skytrain 3 minute ride and 6-8 minute walk Aloft 6 minute walk to Skytrain and then 10 minute ride and then same 8 minute walk. And the above mentioned Meridien which is very close and usually require the most points which I assume you are looking to use . There have been 1 or 2 reports on problems with guests but not sure of their current policy. I would guess a large range of difference in points needed. The Sheraton, Aloft and Westin are at most a $3 taxi ride during off hours . The W probably less then $2 taxi ride I forgot to mention Four Points which is relatively same distance as Westin and Sheraton Grande Looks like aloft is 4000 points per night which is a great deal if you have points. No doubt Meridien is the best location for first time visitor. Make sure you book room for 2 people and be prepared just in case you bring a visitor. I think a lot will depend on how your guest is dressed and how assertive you can be if stopped. I have never had a problem with all the Marriots, W, all Hiltons , all Holiday Inns except the one on Silom and Crowne Plaza very close to action with no guest problems.

Same could be said of you since last post had nothing to do with you>

There are times when bad service is not the wait persons fault in the USA. Management failed to have enough staff assigned or kitchen is understaffed and cannot keep up with orders etc. That is why it is rare I take it out on the wait person because i know they are only getting paid $3.10 an hour and will starve without tips. There are exceptions such as attitude or just plain laziness when restaurant is empty but they are the exception and not the rule.

Grumpy? Not you Irish. I do understand Europeans not understanding taxes , tipping etc in USA. What Europeans don't understand sales taxes etc keep changing and are different in all 50 states. A restaurant does not want to be paying to change and pay for new menus every time the tax is changed . Thus the price almost never includes tax.

I am not referring to you . I am referring to you leaving out the "Just Kidding that Michael had in his post which of course completely changes what Michael said and makes your response non responsive to what he said. Just saying!

You are entitled to your opinion. I will continue to write trip reports for places I visit etc until I see that nobody views them or makes positive comments . Just because this site is called Gay Thailand does not mean that there is not interest in other parts of the world . Most of the members here travel to other places , some to do with Sex and some because they have the finances and desire to see other parts of the world. There are posts here that I have absolutely no interest in and I simply do not click on them . I would never think to tell someone they are not allowed to post them. Maybe the owner could do that but neither I or any other member has that right. I may comment on them negatively but I don't think I ever told someone they had no right to start the topic.

Did you leave out "just kidding" in his post on purpose?

You don't walk to Jomtien. I am appalled !. Don't you walk further distances then that all the time in BKK??

Just for a little balance for the people who will want to say Thailand is the safest tourist destination in the world. I happen to feel very safe in Thailand but I am rarely out at 3am in the morning and I never go to locations I am not familiar with at night. No matter where you visit there are certain precautions you should take . If you don't the odds are still overwhelming in your favor that you won't be robbed, attacked etc. But? http://www.staradvertiser.com/breaking-news/video-of-attack-on-tourists-in-thailand-goes-viral/

I am surprised it has not happened more or maybe not being reported. In as strange way it is the Olympics that has created the large increase in crime. Crooked IOC and the crooked government of Brazil took the money that provides support to the general population especially the poor. They built useless stadiums etc and lined their own pockets with the money which was meant for the poor. It is the reason why the Olympics should never go to a country with a 3rd world economy. It will be interesting to see the city selected for 2024.

Too Funny!

I am certainly not religious but was raised as a Catholic . First you see one of the main religions in the West fostering abuse of small boys. Then there are the preachers from the south with their Gargantuan churches raising money so they can fly all over the world in private jets and do everything the Bible says not to do. Some of those same big Southern churches fostering racism. Religion has no one to blame for their drop in status then their own sins. That and the fact if you hooked up the population to a lie detector and asked a simple question-"Do you believe in God" What do you the results would be?